Isaiah 13:16

Authorized King James Version

Their children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be spoiled, and their wives ravished.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְעֹלְלֵיהֶ֥ם
Their children
a suckling
#2
יְרֻטְּשׁ֖וּ
also shall be dashed to pieces
to dash down
#3
לְעֵֽינֵיהֶ֑ם
before their eyes
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#4
יִשַּׁ֙סּוּ֙
shall be spoiled
to plunder
#5
בָּֽתֵּיהֶ֔ם
their houses
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#6
וּנְשֵׁיהֶ֖ם
and their wives
a woman
#7
תִּשָּׁגַֽלְנָה׃
to copulate with

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Isaiah Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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